Pinnacles camping

TRIP DATES

March 30 - April 1

adventure type:

camping & hiking

activity rating:

moderate

registration deadline: Monday, March 26

Trip Highlights

Adventure around ROCKY SPIRES & TALUS CAVES, wander through the canyons, and catch a glimpse of truly unique wildlife.

HANDS-ON TRAINING so you can show off your skills next time you pitch a tent (we'll make sure you look like you've been doing it since you were a kid).

ZERO STRESS around literally any planning. We handle everything from permits to bug spray, so all you have to do is soak it in.

SPACE TO DISCONNECT from the day-to-day urban living, and stop, breathe, and focus on what's happening NOW.

THE MAVEN FACTOR, a.k.a what happens when you mix dynamic, thoughtful, open-hearted women for a weekend outside.

Enough SELF-CARE to get you through any hurdle. Eat gourmet camp meals, work your glutes on-trail, and enjoy the brilliance of Mama Nature.

Itinerary Summary

FRIDAY

5:30pm departure from the Bay, Opening Ceremonies and dinner on the road

Campsite set-up in Pinnacles National Park

Learn our foolproof 'Flaming V' fire-building technique

Kick back in your camp chair with wine and s'mores, or crawl into your sleeping bag to catch some hard-earned Z's after the workweek

Saturday

French-press coffee and hearty breakfast

7-mile hike with 1500' elevation gain on the High Peaks Trail, marveling at the rocky spires Pinnacles National Park is famous for, and descending through grassy meadows full of wildflowers [click here for hiking map and elevation profile]

Tasty picnic lunch on trail

Back to camp for fire-building, relaxation, and a hot second to reflect and give yourself a high five for your accomplishments

Massive dinner with fresh veggies galore, chocolate, and wine

sunday

French-press coffee and hearty breakfast part deux

Camp break-down and pro tips on gear and trip planning

2-mile hike with 350' elevation gain up to Bear Gulch Cave, where you're met with even more incredible rock formations and the chance to explore a talus cave

Items in bold provided at no additional cost for any women who does not have her own!

+ bathrooms and hygiene

Our campsite at Pinnacles is plush, as far as campsites go. It features indoor bathrooms, flush toilets, running water, hot quarter-fed showers (though no one ever takes one), and potable water spigots. You won't need to pee or poop outdoors, but we'll go over pro tips and strategies so you're prepared whenever you're in a place without indoor plumbing.

No need to change your plans because of your period. Period. For more detailed info on managing your time of the month in the outdoors, we recommend these posts by Snowqueen and Scout and REI.

+ transportation

You are responsible for your own transportation to and from Trail Mavens locations, but we help coordinate carpools for ladies leaving from the Bay Area.

If you're a driver, expect your passengers to contribute to cover gas and wear & tear. If you're a passenger, expect to contribute to your driver to cover gas and wear & tear. If no trip participants or insufficient trip participants own cars, we'll share contact information so you can band together and split a rental.

Note that transportation costs are not included. For even more details on carpooling, check out our Transportation FAQ.

+ OUT OF TOWNER?

Plan to book flight arriving in the Bay Area no later than early Friday afternoon, and departing no earlier than 10pm Sunday night, or Monday morning.

IS TRAIL MAVENs FOR YOU?

TRAIL MAVENS IS FOR YOU IF YOU...

... love open, honest, hilarious conversations with other women. Surface stuff is fine at home, but you know the best stuff comes out around the campfire.

...haven't learned how to start the fire, work the stove, or purify water. Get hands-on practice here, with other adventurous women (so you don't have to trial-and-error on your own).

... thrive on being pushed - tenderly and lovingly - outside your comfort zone, because you know that's where the magic happens.

... learn by doing, and feel empowered when given the chance to make suggestions and decisions.

... feel creative, inspired, and happy when you're outside (and you could definitely use a little more of that right now).

PAYMENT PLANS

We don't want finances to ever be the thing that gets in the way of you experiencing a Trail Mavens trip. With that in mind, we offer installment plans, so you can spread out trip payment over three months. Sound appealing? Email hello@trailmavens.com and we'll get you set up.